Breadcrumb

6 tips for stress free (and fun filled) fundraising!

Josh Owen

13/10/2017

Fundraising

Life can be stressful, but your ICS fundraising doesn’t have to be. We want you to make the most of this opportunity and enjoy every second! So sit back and have a gander at our top tips for stress free fundraising.

1. Plan ahead

'Giving yourself time allows you to think about ideas and allows you to organise them. The more time you give yourself, the less pressure is placed on you.'

Alex - VSO Volunteer

I know, I sound just like your year 11 English teacher! But let’s be honest, anything that’s any good takes a bit of planning.

Planning ahead and starting early is the best way to begin your fundraising. Think about each event, how it fits in with your fundraising timeline and how much you are hoping to raise. Get a good plan together early and your fundraising will be so much easier.

2. Get your friends and family involved

Yes it’s your fundraising target, but that’s not to say you can’t get help from the people around you. Can you rope a few friends in to doing a sponsored challenge with you? Do you know someone who would hold a bake sale at their work? Or do you a have a friend that would let you run a gig or quiz at their pub? If so enlist their help!

The trick is network mapping. Watch this video to get started!

Isaac gives the lowdown on how network mapping can get you thinking about who can help with your fundraising.

3. Fit fundraising around your lifestyle

We know life can be busy, in fact, I’m so busy that I don’t have time to finish this senten…

Anyway, sometimes it’s difficult to find lots of time for your fundraising. So why not make plans that fit in with your everyday life? If you go to the gym, try and do some fundraising there, maybe a physical challenge! If you spend time playing music, why not organise a gig?

Get creative and think of at least one activity that fits in with your lifestyle.

4. Create fun events and use your talents

Maybe you’re a pro at spinning plates or maybe you can lick your elbow! One thing I know is that we all have some sort of talent.

If you’re able to utilise your skills to fundraise then do it. Run an open mic night, a comedy night or if you really do spin plates, organise a circus tricks class! The possibilities are endless.

An added tip is to think about linking your fundraising to big holidays or events throughout the year.Christmas, bonfire night and other similar events are great times to fundraise. If you’re fundraising around those times of year get some parties and themed activities organised too!

5. Break your fundraising up in to manageable chunks

Fundraising is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to cycle that 874 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats or get all your friends together for that awesome party, so be ambitious when you’re planning!

BUT it’s important to make sure you set realistic targets too. We would all love to raise £500 from one activity, though sadly it doesn’t always work out that way. Make sure you break your fundraising target up in to manageable chunks.

I recommend organising four or five different events so that you don’t put too much pressure on one activity. You don’t want to be sitting there stressed because the event you organised didn’t quite go to plan and you don’t have anything else lined up.

6. Chat with your fundraising support officer

We are a social bunch (check us out here) and are always on hand to chat about your fundraising. Make sure that you’re keeping us updated all the way through. If you’re struggling then fear not, we are on hand with heaps of ideas to help you out, and if things are going great then let us know and we’ll be the first to give you a high five!